Explain why you selected the artifact.
This project was a culmination of the learning topics for the entire course. I used one of the new presentation tools available, the website Prezi. This presentation addressed visual literacy, data visualization, media and social networking, interactive whiteboards, open source movement, and visual representation of mind mapping. The prezi tool was the perfect one to use, as it embodies the spirit of what we had spent the 8 weeks learning about. The prezi tool gives the user/creator a wide range of creative license when building the presentation. It takes the linear nature of the powerpoint and discards it, favoring an open canvas approach, giving the user an almost infinite space to work in. The user can magnify or shrink objects almost endlessly as well, providing an extra level of customization, an almost third dimension to the presentation.
Include how the skills and knowledge gained from creation of the artifact advanced your skills and teaching practice.
This was the first time I had used Prezi to develop a presentation for this program. I had used Prezi in my classroom with my students, had helped students put together presentations, and had seen some interesting ideas from my students which I then brought with me to this presentation. By building a presentation for this course, I had the opportunity to explore the many facets of the tool. As of the writing of this reflection, and further use in my classroom, the site has added some improvements. Often I am surprised to learn of the new things when a student figures them out and shows them to me. I simply do not have the time to keep up with the improvements of every great digital tool. I must rely on my students and on the experiences of other users to keep up with all of the improvements.
Identify what gaps in your skills and knowledge still exist. Suggest solutions to address the gaps.
I feel fairly competent with the open-source movement, and the use of interactive whiteboards. I am not as comfortable with the data visualization or the mind mapping. I also am not sure the use of social networking, at least in its present state, in an educational environment. There are far too many issues related to social networking that prevent the use in the classroom. If and when we have a generation of students who have been taught what it means to be a digital citizen, and what the implications are for displaying your entire life online, then maybe we may have a good tool to make use of social networking in the classroom. For now the only social networking we take advantage of is through wikis and blogs.
Standards:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.
Reflection:
Explain why you selected the artifact.This project was a culmination of the learning topics for the entire course. I used one of the new presentation tools available, the website Prezi. This presentation addressed visual literacy, data visualization, media and social networking, interactive whiteboards, open source movement, and visual representation of mind mapping. The prezi tool was the perfect one to use, as it embodies the spirit of what we had spent the 8 weeks learning about. The prezi tool gives the user/creator a wide range of creative license when building the presentation. It takes the linear nature of the powerpoint and discards it, favoring an open canvas approach, giving the user an almost infinite space to work in. The user can magnify or shrink objects almost endlessly as well, providing an extra level of customization, an almost third dimension to the presentation.
Include how the skills and knowledge gained from creation of the artifact advanced your skills and teaching practice.
This was the first time I had used Prezi to develop a presentation for this program. I had used Prezi in my classroom with my students, had helped students put together presentations, and had seen some interesting ideas from my students which I then brought with me to this presentation. By building a presentation for this course, I had the opportunity to explore the many facets of the tool. As of the writing of this reflection, and further use in my classroom, the site has added some improvements. Often I am surprised to learn of the new things when a student figures them out and shows them to me. I simply do not have the time to keep up with the improvements of every great digital tool. I must rely on my students and on the experiences of other users to keep up with all of the improvements.
Identify what gaps in your skills and knowledge still exist. Suggest solutions to address the gaps.
I feel fairly competent with the open-source movement, and the use of interactive whiteboards. I am not as comfortable with the data visualization or the mind mapping. I also am not sure the use of social networking, at least in its present state, in an educational environment. There are far too many issues related to social networking that prevent the use in the classroom. If and when we have a generation of students who have been taught what it means to be a digital citizen, and what the implications are for displaying your entire life online, then maybe we may have a good tool to make use of social networking in the classroom. For now the only social networking we take advantage of is through wikis and blogs.
Standards:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity